Weekly Wrap-Up (October 14)

What a week. Crap here, shit there and at the end of it, I was left to wonder what we’re doing it for. That may be slightly vague but I really don’t want to get into it. Let’s just say I’ve often been telling myself this week that this whole blogging malarkey is supposed to be fun and sometimes, it just really doesn’t feel like it. Don’t be surprised if you see (even less) of me around social media. Those places really are cesspits.

Moving on. My reading took a massive hit this week. Granted, two of the books I read were close to 500 pages but that’s not much of an excuse, is it? Let’s see what the damage is, shall we?

Books I’ve read this week

Yep. Three. That’s it. Oops.

On the other hand, I had a whale of a time chatting to fellow book bloggers and even virtually (sort of) attended the brilliant Quercus event on Wednesday. I was given some more Instagram master classes, rearranged a book shelf, wasted a few hours trying to buy an exclusive from Goldsboro whose website kept crashing and even managed to squeeze in some ironing. It’s not like I didn’t DO anything 😂

Question of the week : Blog tours. Yes, I know they’ve pretty much been discussed to death but this isn’t about how successful they are or whatnot. What I’m interested in this time around are the actual posts, reviews and content. I’d like to know if there’s something you never read. Personally, I skip promo posts because I find them a waste of time and I never read extracts. I will, once in a blue moon, read a guest post or a Q&A. It depends on the author or the topic they’re talking about. As for reviews, if I still have to read the book myself (and we all know how close I cut it sometimes), I won’t read it because I don’t want to be influenced in any way.

So, what about you? Do you like content posts? Do you feel they add something to a tour? Which ones are your favourite to read? Which ones do you pass on?

And that’s a wrap, once again. I have an insanely busy weekend ahead of me. I’m writing this early on Saturday morning. Later on, I have friends coming over who will be spending the night. There will be wine and limoncello. 🥂 We have elections here tomorrow (Sunday) morning (boo hiss!) and I also have a birthday dinner to attend. Fingers crossed I’ll be awake (and sober) enough to get this post out.

Wishing you all a most wonderful week and lots of happy reading! See you next time! xx

Ah I’m sending you big squidgy hugs lovely! I know what you mean about reading. It’s becoming a bit more a chore then fun. It’s all I do and when I’m not reading I’m thinking about the reading I have to do. Probably doesn’t help with all my migraines!
I love blog tours as I have found so many books I wouldn’t have normally known about and I have gone and brought books on the back of it. I am doing more content now because I am trying to cut back on tours as I want to read my backlist more. (Sorry rambled on!) xx

That’s it, I think, yes. It’s been an insanely overwhelming couple of months. I’m really not even surprised I only read two books on holiday. I just didn’t feel like it and that is something I’m really not used to. I really need to take on less so I can give myself a break from time to time, without getting in trouble with deadlines 😄

I just need to learn to say no! I still haven’t learned but have taken a huge step back. I am like you losing a bit of passion, and want to read on my own terms again. Yes these pesky deadlines lol. Hope you are ok lovely! Don’t want you to lose your sparkle for too long! xx

I’m trying to cut back on blog tours so I can get some of my own books read. If someone asks and I don’t want/can’t accept the book for review I offer a guest post in the hope it’ll bring some publicity their way. Short extracts I’m ok with but longer ones I don’t tend to read. I agree about reading reviews for books on your list, I prefer not to be influenced.

I take a pass on all but review tours unless it’s an author I love and want to support. After feeling like I wasn’t reading for pleasure anymore I took a step back. I reduced the weekly number of review posts and try to only commit myself to a few arc’s a month. I feel so much better now that I can read some older books that have been sitting on my shelf. It’s so important to keep why I started blogging (for fun and because I like reading and talking about books!) the focus. Sorry for unloading! Lol. Obviously this has been on my mind. Great discussion post!

I’ve become really picky about those where I’ll participate. First, it has to be for an author I really enjoy, perhaps an auto read. Second, I weigh whether my audience will be interested. Lastly, the details of the tour have to be appealing to me. If it meets those criteria, I believe I can make it compelling and exciting for my visitors. Your enthusiasm makes a difference and I can always tell when the blogger’s heart isn’t in it. The post will only have a lot of details with no added input or flair from the blogger. I’ll give it a “like” but often won’t read the details.

I think tours are valuable but only if the blogger really puts her/his touch on the post.

That’s a very good point and I must admit I often don’t add that personal touch when I post content. Sometimes that’s because I’ve been way too busy to even read what I’ve been sent. It’s just not right but I’ve been way too overwhelmed. And that’s completely my own fault.

Sorry you have had a bad week. I do read the various content posts, though not all. I do like a good Q & A or Guest Post, and I have bought books after reading an extract.
Im having to get a bit more selective with blog tours and really thinking hard about the ones I accept. At the moment I’m settling into my new job and it has varying hours, with a couple of night shifts as well as quite a lot of training courses. This makes sharing my own posts on a bit of a problem. I also would love to read some of my own books 📚 😊

I don’t do promo posts on my own blog. Like you, I can’t see the point of them and I have to admit that when I share others’ promo posts I find myself looking for the main event, if you know what I mean. I read bits of extracts, and Q&A and guest posts that interest me.

I hope not everyone doesn’t bother to read the posts though otherwise it does make me wonder why any of us bloggers bother!

I’m sorry your week was crap. At least, you can wave it bye now! Sending lots of love and hugs!
I want The Cry!!!!!!!!!! But I can’t get it here, it’s so weird!
Tours… I try to cut down but I like supporting authors. At the same time, some posts don’t interest me, if it’s pure promotion….

I’m afraid I don’t usually read extracts or content posts. Will read first couple of reviews if it’s a book I’m interested in, will read some Q&A’s. Probably not what people want to hear, but I make my mind up quickly about a book. I’m happy to share blog posts, but don’t follow a tour to read the changing content. Hope you have a better week this week Eva.

Haha, is it weird that I love this weekly wrap up despite a lot of shit occurring! And I applaud your three books because it’s three more than I’ve read, and despite reading little (compared to normal), you still had a very bookish week. I’ll let you off for not posting on Instagram this weekend as you have guests visiting, but I expect the normally level of commitment next week. Wednesday was the first time I had a limoncello, and it was divine!!!!

I read extracts when I’m really interested in a novel and I like the occasional Q&A’s too.. I don’t always read guestposts, only if the title really sounds inviting. I’ve never done a ‘promo post’ on a tour because I don’t really see the point ;-). At least you haven’t lost your reading mojo, that’s the most important thing. You always take on so much, I get why you need a break! Take your time, I hope it’ll do you well lovely!

Sorry about your crappy week Eva. I hope that things will be better this week.

As for tours, I only read the review posts and yes, they do influence whether or not I will get the book especially if the posts are by bloggers that I trust and have similar interests with. I never read extracts though.

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